If you are looking for balanced, non-judgemental, politically correct opinion and comment - you are definitely in the wrong place!

Friday, February 12, 2010

I don't want consensus politics

I think it is incredible that Labour and the Lib Dems are attacking the Tories for "wrecking" their plans for elderly care, claiming that they ruined the "consensus".

It's not that I'm a Tory supporter or fan of David Cameron - I'm sure you know by now that I'm not - it's the fact that I dislike this idea of "consensus politics" for good reasons.

First of all, who said we wanted consensus politics? Have we ever been asked if we want our government and opposition to agree on policy? And why would we want this anyway - if we did, then what would be the point of having elections? What would be the point in having an opposition if all they did was join a consensus in support of the government?

The job of Her Majesty's loyal opposition is to oppose the government. It's not a secret - the clue is in the name - it's just a shame that we have an opposition leader who seems to have forgotten this principle since he came to prominence as leader of the Tory party.

Worse still, the idea that the parties may even be able to agree on policy is a huge indicator of just how similar their politics are. It just confirms my view - and that of many others - that there is little point in voting because whoever gets in will be just the same as the mob they replace. Vote in Labour, Lib Dem or Tory and you'll get the same ideas, the same rhetoric and the same dreary drivel.

The fact that they are now starting to try to build "consensus" tells us that our political parties are not only broadly similar - they've even stopped pretending to be different! As far as they're concerned the job's done and the liberal progressive stitch up of Britain is complete.

Consensus is such a con. What does it mean? It means that a group of people have reached a decision between themselves on which they are agreed to proceed - but in this "consensus" there was no attempt to consult with the people of Britain. It's not even a consensus of the parties - because the bulk of the Tory, Labour and Lib Dem membership were never ever asked either.

It's disgusting. I don't want consensus politics - I want democracy. Proper democracy where the government rule by consent of the people not the consent of fellow MPs. Consensus is so overblown. It's great if you're trying to decide whether to go out for an Italian, Indian or Chinese meal - but it is dangerous when you're talking about how our country is governed. It is dangerous because it is not your "consent" that is being sought, but the consent of the ruling elite - the very thing our parliamentary system is supposed to prevent.

No more consensus politics. If you ever hear a politician mention "consensus" in any sense relating to government then never ever vote for that person again - even if it's your dad.